Maldives

Introduction

The idyllic atolls of the Maldives are like a string of pearls scattered on the deep blue silk of the sparkling blue Indian Ocean. We specialise in Maldives luxury holidays and can offer personal advice on the ideal destination for you. Many of the islands are so tiny that you’ll feel quickly at home. Simply take off your shoes the moment you arrive and concern yourself with nothing more than whether you’ll spot a manta ray before breakfast. Once renowned for scuba diving, the Maldives now appeals to a wider and more sophisticated audience, appreciative of the rich melting pot of cultures and fragile ecosystem. We can arrange luxury honeymoons in the Maldives, the perfect destination for a holiday of a lifetime. Many of our featured hotels also boast luxury spas with a sumptuous choice of therapies for the ultimate indulgence.

Malé, the tiny capital of the Maldives buzzes with activity. Visit the museum with its wide range of historic relics and the 400 year old ‘Hukuru Miskiiy’ mosque, famed for its fine coral carvings. Service everywhere is attentive and friendly, with dining often being a beach affair beneath the stars, and captivating accommodation features all those little individual touches that make a stay magical.

Maldives | Personal View

Mark Hibbert - The Maldives

We arrived on Malé after flying with Emirates, connecting through Dubai - met by our hosts from Soneva Fushi, there was just time for a refreshing drink in their private lounge before embarking our seaplane transfer to the North Atoll. It is a stunning flight over the teardrop islands of the Maldives, only masked by the occasional cloud. We soon arrived at Soneva's pontoon (AKA Soneva International), handed Champagne in exchange for our shoes and welcomed on to our short boat transfer to the island.

Soneva Fushi is a beautiful island with pristine beaches and lush jungle interior, each villa has it's own bicycle with cushioned pedals so that you can explore the island in your bare feet.

Our Villa Suite was spacious and cool with a bathroom to the rear that extended into a private water garden with sunken bath and stepping stones leading to an outdoor shower. To the front we had our own private garden with ample sized pool just yards from the turquoise sea.

Lazy days spent snorkelling, swimming and, of course, eating with dining options from "in villa" to Soneva's Organic Garden Restaurant, reached by a rope bridge in the middle of the island. I remember a truly magical moment one lunchtime when a pod of Dolphins were spotted swimming past and everyone abandoned their meals to gaze in amazement.

All too soon it was time to leave our Paradise and start our journey home, however we did manage to resist putting our shoes on until we got back to Malé.

Regional Info

HIGHLIGHTS

Spa
Sandbank dining
Dhoni cruise
Diving
The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty and has some of the best dive sites in the world. The profusion of psychedelic colours and the abundance and variety of life underwater plus the highest levels of visibility and warm temperatures make diving in the Maldives a delight you would want to experience over and over again
Whale & Dolphin Watching
The Maldives ranks among the top five places on Earth for watching whales and dolphins with over 20 different species ranging from the mighty Blue Whale to the diminutive but highly acrobatic Spinner Dolphin.

EVENTS

Ramadan
The ninth month in the Muslim calendar, a month during which Muslims mark 30 days of fasting.
Eid-ul Al'h'aa
A time for celebrations and feasting, this period of five to seven days is the longest holiday during the year. Traditional sports, music and dance go hand in hand with modern sports and music.
Kuda Eid
Following the end of Ramadan, this is a period of feasting.
26 July | Independence Day
The highlight of the day are the official celebrations held in the evening at the Republic Square incorporating a march, drills and traditional dances performed by hundreds of school children in colourful attire plus floats and processions depicting traditional and modern themes.
11 November | Republic Day
Marking the day the Maldives became a Republic of the second time. The day is celebrated every year with parades and marches.
National Day
Celebrating the great victory of Mohamed Thakurufaanu over the Portuguese in 1573.

LOCAL SPECIALITIES

The Arts
The Maldives are rich in their variety of music, dance, arts and crafts. Sway to the percussive rhythm of a Bodu Beru troupe, and be enchanted by Bandiyaa Jehun - a form of dance performed by young women.
Wooden Lacquer Ware
Perhaps the most distinctive of Maldivian handicrafts. Beautiful bowls and boxes created from the local Alexandrian laurel, these elegant pieces are lacquered in strands of red, black and yellow resin and delicately carved with flowing flowery patterns.
Mats
Beautiful red mats known as 'thudu kuna' are woven throughout the country, ranging in size from that of a place mat to a full size single mattress. Reeds are dried in the sun, stained with natural dyes and woven on a handloom according to the imagination and skill of the weaver.
Miniature 'dhonis'
The building of traditional 'dhoni' boats is an age-old craft in the Maldives. Small wooden replicas make attractive souvenirs.

TRAVEL TIPS

CLIMATE
Generally warm and humid with sunshine all year round. The best time to visit is between November and March during the north-east monsoon when it is dry with very little wind.

LANGUAGE
Dhievhi is the spoken language in all parts of the Maldives along with English.

TIME DIFFERENCE
GMT +5 hours

CURRENCY
Rufiyaa and Laaree although the US dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency.

FLYING TIME
Approx 13 hours including one stopover or 11 hours non-stop

Designer Chic

Diving

Families

Honeymoons & Weddings

Island Escapes

Multi-Centre Holidays

Sail & Stay

Spa